Omaha daily bee., 1887-04-23
A CoWard's Deed.

o. H. Rothacker, the editor of the Re-
publican, is under 81 900 bonds to an.
swer the charge of attempted murder.
The assault of which Rothacker is ac.
cused was committed about 10
o'clock yesterday morning opposite the
store Of Max Meyer g. Bro, on Eleventh
and Farnam streets. Mr.. Rosewater, the
editor of the BEE, was the victim of the
attack, which was characterized by every
one who saw it as dastardly and out
rageous.
Mr.. Rosewatcr was coming up Farnam
street, from Tenth, having just read the
scurrilous and filthy articles printed on
the editorial page of yesterday mornings
Republican. At the intersection of Elc.
venth Rothacker crossed his path. Mr..
Rosewater turned to him and commented
on the outrageous nature of the attack
made by the Republican. He offered no
violence whatever, but Rothackerj umped
on him with billy in hand, and dealt him
powerful blow, just above the left cheek
and an inch below the temple.
&C d you, I'll kill you," he said
at the same time, retreating step or two
backward. Before he could continue the
cowardly assault number of
by-standers rushed in and separated the
firm of Max Meyer Il Bro. took from
Rothacker the leaden "billy" with which
the assault was committed. 1t was a
mur1erous looking weapon. six or eight
inches long, with an extra heavy leaden
b all.
Accompanied by his friends Mr.. Rose.
water went directly TO the police court
l.,
his attorney, f. M. Bartlett. A complaint
was at once filed charging Rothacker
with assault with intent 10 commit
aoker a%iea''' had reached I,s the the court court
room and the warrant for his ar
rest was placed in the hands of Officer
Turnbull, who at once served it upon
him. Through his attorney he entered
| plea OF not guilty to the charge. Judge
| Stenberg fixed the amount OF the bond at
| S, 900, upon furnishing which Rothacker
| was released to appear for preliminary
| examination next Tuesday.
Mr.. Rosewater states it as his intention
| to prosecute his assailant to the fullest
| posi- BILE limit The crime which Roth
acker committed is a penitentiary Of
fense and is punishable by imprison ment
of from two ito fifteen. years. The
assault was committed in broad
daylight and a number of reliable
| witnesses can be brought to prove it. AS
to the murderous character of the attack,
there can likewise be no question. 1t
was committed with q deadly weapon
and had the blow been an inch or two
| higher, it would undoubtedly have been
! fatal. BY the merest chance the blow
struck below the temple. and the injury
is consequently not a serious one.
The affair created no little excitement
on the streets. Everywhere it was de-
nounced as a cowardly outrage. The
sentiment was general that Rothacker
| ought to receive the fullest limit of pun
ishment.
| II witnessed the assault" said one
| gentleman to reporter, land l want to
say that it was one of the most cowardly
and unealled for attacks that l ever
heard of. Rothacker was evidently pre-
pared for something Of the sort. as he
had the strap Of the slung,.shot fastened
Ieaden end of the billy doubled up
under his sleeve, SO as to con.
ceal it, as when he walked
to Mr.. Rosewater, did not notice any
thing in his hand, Mr.. Rosewater said
something to HIM about the outrageous
acker) had made editorially this morn.
ing, and then Rothacker jerked ont the
billy and dealt the blow which came so
near proving fatal Mr.. Rosewater owes
it not only to himself but to the decent
element Of this community to send Roth.
acker to the penitentiary for the crime
committed this morning Curry, the
negro, committed an exactly similar as
sault, and was sentenced to term at
hard labor. And fail to see why Roth
acker should not be treated in exactly
| the same manner
! Rothacker's houndish nature Is shown
by the manner in which he acted when
he was seized and prevented from con-
tlnulng his assault upon defenscIess
man. A bystander named U. 9. Schwerin
seized HIM by the arm and held him back.
Rothacker turned on him snaring and
foamlng like cur, and deliberately bit
him on the wrist. The wound inflicted
by the fellows teeth was painful and
ugly one.